[A rare cause of stridor in a 59 year old woman in intensive care].
BACKGROUND
Stridor in the post extubation period occurs frequently and is most commonly caused by laryngeal oedema. During this period, the trachea can also be obstructed by pseudomembranes.


METHODS
We report the case of a 59 year old woman who required re-intubation, 15 days after extubation because of the acute onset of severe respiratory distress secondary to pseudomembranes in her trachea.


CONCLUSIONS
It is essential that physicians who care for patients during the post extubation period are aware of this severe and life threatening cause of stridor. Definitive treatment with the rigid bronchoscope allows for rapid recanalisation of the airway.
Gernez
Y
Y
Unité d'Endoscopie thoracique, Pôle Cardiovasculaire et Thoracique, Hôpital Sainte Marguerite, Marseille. yaelgernez@yahoo.fr
Breen
D
D
Peloni
J-M
JM
Meric
B
B
Dutau
H
H
D020680:Bronchoscopes; D003422:Critical Care; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007442:Intubation, Intratracheal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013902:Radiography, Thoracic; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*; D012135:Respiratory Sounds / Q000209:etiology*; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014132:Trachea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015300:Ventilator Weaning